Marv Ripes New Version? View attachment 3909384 [/QUOTE] Actually, I believe that's the earlier "Powerglide Prosecutor" after ownership was transferred to Tony Janes. The clues include the fact that it's a Bel Air 2-door hardtop and the "OHIO" license plate. The later, iconic Ripes/Barkley '57 was a 210 post car. Tony switched that OHIO plate from car to car over the years. c
This one is really stretching the limits of my memory in all directions. About 60 years ago, during the college years, I briefly dated the daughter of a local funeral director. It seems to me that the mortuary utilized a specially equipped but nondescript wagon as a "transport vehicle" or a "pick-up wagon" for moving cadavers from hospitals, morgues, or private homes to the funeral home. In addition, it would double as a "flower car" for transporting floral sprays and commemorative bouquets to the cemetery. I believe that this '57 could possibly be such a vehicle based on the configuration of the rear door. It was never meant to be a formal hearse. The hearse was usually a Caddy or Lincoln that was kept in immaculate condition for formal exposure. On the other hand, bodies were commonly transported in ordinary vans or such specially equipped station wagons. Don't want to spend too much time thinking about this but I've never seen any other '57 configured in this manner. Wow!
O'Briens Funeral Home in Cambridge Ontario had one. Tried to buy it in the early 60s, guess I just didn't offer enough. 283/3spd. Warren
Glad you responded. It's good to know that my imagination hasn't created an independent, alternate version of reality...yet! c
Chuck, Trying not to get to o/t here, but here goes. Being a Cali guy, you probably don't remember this, but the late Ken Worrell used to tow his gold metal flaked SS/C Corvette with a gold metal flaked Cadillac flower car. One day , we were pulling into Englishtown with one of my mentors, the late Joe DeLorenzo. Worrell was in the slowly creeping line next to us. Joey kept saying to pull up, pull up. I asked him what was the matter. He says I hate those things . They give me the creeps. Then he begins to tell us one of his hilarious stories. He says, back when he was young, he used to work in a body shop that specialized in hearses, flower cars, etc. He wouldn't even drive them in and out of the shop. So I remarked that they must not have liked that. He says..well, they all knew I hated those things. They used to sit in the coffins and eat their lunch, just to bust my cojones! LMAO.. better get back on track here.. (There's Joe up near the top of this page..Didn't see it till now)
Mark, it's not completely clear to me if these fleeting but clear-as-day memories of things that happened half-a-century ago are a positive stage of life. Sometimes it feels like a slow-motion version of the traditional "my life passed before my eyes" syndrome? If that's what these flashback interludes are, I really want to sit back, pop open a beer, and savor them because they're made up of the moments that have made life worth living. On the other hand, if it's merely the leading edge of encroaching dementia, I'd rather push back the fog, get out to the shop, and make something happen! Early last evening, my wife and I had dinner with Ed and Linda Drucker. Joe DeLorenzo's name came up during the conversation. Ed told stories about Joe helping him put together a '57 sedan delivery as a street machine back in Connecticut some years ago. Now, you've come up with yet another story while a picture comes across the screen! Apparently, the circle that we all inhabited was smaller than we thought? c
That first picture is Super Stockers. Don’t know who's 55 that is but pretty sure that is Kip Martin’s Ford. The 56 wagon has Larry Patrick on the door, with those tail lights I wonder if it is not the Cordia/Stahl car in a later date.
Tom I just noticed your avatar is a 150 57. You have any pictures. I love 150's I often think about turning my BA into a 150. But reality kicks me in the ass and I'm better off leaving well enough alone. Pat
Yes, my 150 is a survivor type 2 door sedan, 235 cube, 3 speed on tree that I am keeping in case I ever recreate a 270hp Junior Stocker. No other pics. It would not conform to this page. Tom
The Jalopy Journal
